The Modular U of T Student and the “Others”, By Katerina Richard (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Confronting Walls and Normalizing Practices.” In class brainstorming we conceptualized the modular student as the student whose qualities characterize the ideal student body. The University mobilizes this … Continue reading
“Toxic Culture” and the “Try Hard”, By Maya Banerjee (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Confronting Walls and Normalizing Practices.” The phrase “toxic culture” is a familiar one to most University of Toronto students, one that is thrown around in casual conversations, … Continue reading
Affects in Anthropology, By Mason Lorch (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Concepts and Methods.” ln this post, I will briefly outline a key theoretical concept that I used extensively in my research: the concept of affect. It is … Continue reading
Observing Closely: Phantom Dialogues in Discussions of Diversity Initiatives, By Mason Lorch (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Concepts and Methods.” As part of my preliminary research into diversity-related happenings at UofT, I watched a video released by the Rotman School to commemorate the introduction … Continue reading
Morally Grounded Ethnographies that Impart Change, By Nana Koomson and Mason Lorch (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Concepts and Methods.” While doing ethnographic research on how students at the University of Toronto imagine themselves as diversity workers, we discovered that the University as an … Continue reading
The Challenge of “Critical” Ethnography, By Fatemeh Khavaninzadeh, with Input from Katerina Richard and Oliver Cusimano (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Concepts and Methods.” It’s always easier to judge, harder to understand. So as anthropologists in training, we are constantly reminded and taught to let go of our … Continue reading
Students Studying Students: When Do Interviews Become Too Formal? By Isabella Gillard and Yuyang Yuan (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Concepts and Methods.” It is an interesting dynamic to be a student studying other students who attend the same university, an institution which is also your primary … Continue reading
What the Survey Misses: the Value of Face-to-Face Interview, By Maya Banerjee (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Concepts and Methods.” Most research projects, ethnographic or otherwise, involve some initial deliberation over methods; How will you gather participants? What methods will you use to extract … Continue reading
The Wall of Rejections: Experiences of Failing to Choose/Get into a Field, By Yuyang Yuan, Fatemeh Khavaninzadeh and Isabella Gillard (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Concepts and Methods.” Yuyang: In Grade 12, after applying for universities, my friends and I created a “Wall of Rejections” on a whim. We stuck our rejection … Continue reading
The Promise of Diversity, By Aashna Shan (Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity)
This blog post was part of the coursework for the Ethnographic Practicum course, “Ethnography of the University 2021: Focus on Diversity.” It was originally posted in the category “Confronting Walls and Normalizing Practices.” To me, the essence of diversity is creating a space where a range of people from different walks of life can co-exist. … Continue reading